Although I think Black is a good color for a car, especially after wax or Zaino, it can be problematic. I've had my car ever since October and wash my car about every week or two. It seems that everytime I wash or wax it I see more and more scratches, swirl marks, chipped paint (freeway rocks), and yet more scratches; which all are perfectly visible wit black. I don't know where all these minor scratches and scrapes are coming from, I use a soft mitt (is this better than sponge?) along wit the Mr. Clean Autodry system so I minimize the contact wit the paint b/c I don't need to dry.
I wanted to know if anyone else suffers from this problem; for me it's kind of an compulsive disorder wit every knick and scratch as bright as day when I see my car......anyone try the 3M black swirl remover? Does it work? And how well does Zaino work on light scratches and swirl marks?

 

uhhh...that's what black does. it shows up everything

 

i agree black looks really good but it's sooo hard to keep clean....


the 3m swirl mark thingy works fine but you can only take out soo much...it will still leave some of the marks....i suggest you invest in the clear bra...a lot of tlers swear by it....

 

I've NBP and yes it is an effort to keep it clean. But once cleaned there is none other color. I use Z5 (Zaino product) to minimize the swirl mark. On my NBP I've used it once and is pretty good.

 

I detail my wife's NBP MDX twice a year using an orbital polisher, Megs #9, Klasse AIO & Klasse SG or NXT. The scratches always come back. It takes a lot of work to keep NBP pristine.

 

Thats for sure, pretty hard to keep clean

 

I had a 2Gen TL NBP. Same issues. However, I've learned since then:
- Don't wash it every other week, especially not by touching it. Any time you touch clear coat, esp NBP, it has the possibility of getting scratched.
- Use a lamb's wool mitt when you do wash, and don't get anywhere near the wheels. The brake dust will scratch after it gets embedded into the mitt and then that mitt is toast.
- Instead of washing by hand, go to the car wash and use a high pressure wand. Do NOT use the brush. To dry, use very light pressure and a chamois or microfiber towel.
- Get the ClearBra paint protection. It's worth every penny.
- Avoid the overwhelming desire to wash every week.
- Use non-paste (spray, such as Meguiar's) wax after washing.
- Do not do serious waxing more than twice a year.

The less you touch your beautiful car, the fewer scratches you will have.

 

This is why I bought SSM with this TL, unlike my gorgeous 2G NBP TL. That TL was kept in pristine shape and the paint had been recently Zaino'ed before I traded her in. (Sniff! Sob! I still miss her)

 

I loved the look of black, but I won't go back.

My new DM has been through a few rainstorms and looks pretty darned good for a "dirty" car if I must say so myself - exactly why I bought this color.

 

black is a pain in the butt. thats why I got wdp. swirls are not an issue and its the most lustrous color.

 

Black and White are all extremely hard to maintain. Also, any dark colors will show swirl effects after washing. So does my DGP.

 

how is white hard to maintain???

 

I mean any ding/chip/dent/damage/dirt will be easily seen on white car. Due to the contrast, IMO, anything not white will be the eye-catching target on white color.

Also, in where I live, some ppl extremely hate your car shining/cleaning, you might get some scratch on the side doors, from front to rear.

 

I see many posts on this board of the opinion that white is much easier to maintain than darker colors. I have owned several white cars and will never, ever own another one. While it may be harder to see swirl marks on a white car, the one issue that I have found is the road tar, stains and general filth that accumulates on the nose, fenders behind the wheels and rocker panels. Next time you pass a white car, even if clean...notice what those areas of the car looks like. That is as big a problem to keep clean as a black car...and as many have said..although NBP is a lot of work to maintain...nothing looks better when it is washed than NBP.

 

Black cars are tough no doubt, but I'll give you some advice to help minimize it.

1) Use the right products.
a) Lambswool mitts, no brushes unless real horse or boars hair.
b) Use a minimal amount of car wash soap only. The soap is only used to provide lubrication between the bad stuff on the car and your mitt. No dishwashing liquids here folks... ever. It will strip your wax and suck all of the oils out of the paint.

2) Always wash in a straight lines not circles. Straight line scratches are harder to see when the light hits it.

3) Wash the car panel by panel and do not move on until each panel has been completely wiped down. This will help minimize missed spots which will cause soiling of your drying towels and the inevitable scrathing that will result.

4) Never wash the wheels with the same mitt as you use on the paint. As mentioned previously, the brakes give off metal flakes that will embedd into your mitt then you'll be steel wooling your car. Best to use different water as well or do the wheel last using the soapy water with which you washed the car.

5) Dry using slightly moist 100% cotton towels. Any nylon content will get brittle in the dryer and the fibers will then be hard enough to scratch the paint. Another neat trick here is to use an instant detailer while the car is still wet adding another source of lubrication the ends up adding some shine factor.

This is the AUTOMOBILIA way.

Unless your car is a Sunday or sunny day driver, expect to still get microscratches in the finish every time you wash it. The only benefit to the above steps is that a) you will minimize them and b) theones you do get will be easily poished away once or twice a year.